Imitation cabuchon emerald and 'diamond' ring given to Kyra Vayne (1916-2001) by the opera singer Mary Garden (1874-1967) and worn by Kyra Vayne with a parure of jewellery, to sing the title role of the opera Tosca.

Imitation cabuchon emerald and white metal ring comprising a very large dome-shaped imitation emerald in a claw setting, surrounded at its base by 15 paste 'diamonds' (originally 16 - 1 claw setting empty). On each shoulder, beneath the circle of paste 'diamonds' is a row of 5 paste 'diamonds', beneath which in turn, are 2 paste 'diamonds'.

Given by Mr. Richard Samuel

This ring was given to Kyra Vayne by the singer Mary Garden. It was worn by Kyra Vayne with a parure of jewellery to sing Floria Tosca in the title role of the opera Tosca, which she first sang in September 1952 to the Scarpia of Tito Gobbi, with the Italian Opera Company at the Stoll Theatre, London, and on tour.

The parure, comprising a tiara, necklace, bracelet and earrings, together with the Tosca ring given to Kyra Vayne by Mary Garden, was sold to the Royal Opera House for £35 ca.1960 when Kyra Vayne retired from the stage but returned to her in the late1990s when she was keen to have it back:

'I thought it might go in the museum but years later I began to think about what I had given away. I am delighted the set has been found because it is very beautiful and of historical importance.' [Kyra Vayne, reported by Jane Hughes in the article 'Opera diva gets back her jewels', The Independent, 31/10/1999].

After her death the jewellery passed to her Executor Mr.Richard Samuel who presented it to the museum.

S.297-2001